Sushi Sen in Scottsdale shows Japanese food can be casual, affordable

Sushi Sen is a wallet-friendly, everyday Japanese dining restaurant from the previous owners of Sushi Ken in Chandler.(Photo: Ryosuke Taniguchi)

A new Japanese restaurant has opened in the former fine-dining Shinbay space.

Sushi Sen is a wallet-friendly, everyday Japanese dining restaurant from the previous owners of Sushi Ken in Chandler. It may be the Valley’s most elegant restaurant serving simple Japanese fare at affordable prices.

Shinbay, a Japanese omakase-style restaurant, was nominated for a Best New Restaurant award in 2012 by the James Beard Foundation. It closed last summer due to financial difficulties.

Yuki and Saori Idia sold Sushi Ken in Chandler, which is still in operation, about a year ago, and opened Sushi Sen earlier this summer. The sleek, wood-and-glass minimalist decor of Shinbay remains, but the high price tag ($100-plus) of Shinbay’s omakase-style dinner is gone.

Sushi Sen is a wallet-friendly, everyday Japanese dining restaurant from the previous owners of Sushi Ken in Chandler.(Photo: Ryosuke Taniguchi)

Fans of Chandler’s Sushi Ken will recognize most of the new Sushi Sen menu. Known for $5 lunch roll specials, Sushi Sen’s lengthy menu features sushi and sashimi, tempura, noodle and rice bowls, ramen, katsu and Japanese curries.

Traditional Japanese fare includes:

Natto ($3.50), a fermented soybean dish.

Chukka kurage ($6.50), marinated jellyfish.

Black pork sausage ($6.75).

More familiar fare includes:

Edamame ($2).

Gyoza, pan-fried or deep-fried ($6-$7).

Teriyaki chicken ($6) a la carte.

Sushi rolls, both traditional and American-influenced.

Most entrees are in the $6 to $12 range, and sushi rolls vary from $4.50 for a California roll to $13.50 for a deluxe dragon roll.